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WRKY transcription factors and plant defense responses: latest discoveries and future prospects.
Wani, SH, Anand, S, Singh, B, Bohra, A, Joshi, R
Plant cell reports. 2021;(7):1071-1085
Abstract
WRKY transcription factors are among the largest families of transcriptional regulators. In this review, their pivotal role in modulating various signal transduction pathways during biotic and abiotic stresses is discussed. Transcription factors (TFs) are important constituents of plant signaling pathways that define plant responses against biotic and abiotic stimuli besides playing a role in response to internal signals which coordinate different interacting partners during developmental processes. WRKY TFs, deriving their nomenclature from their signature DNA-binding sequence, represent one of the largest families of transcriptional regulators found exclusively in plants. By modulating different signal transduction pathways, these TFs contribute to various plant processes including nutrient deprivation, embryogenesis, seed and trichome development, senescence as well as other developmental and hormone-regulated processes. A growing body of research suggests transcriptional regulation of WRKY TFs in adapting plant to a variety of stressed environments. WRKY TFs can regulate diverse biological functions from receptors for pathogen triggered immunity, modulator of chromatin for specific interaction and signal transfer through a complicated network of genes. Latest discoveries illustrate the interaction of WRKY proteins with other TFs to form an integral part of signaling webs that regulate several seemingly disparate processes and defense-related genes, thus establishing their significant contributions to plant immune response. The present review starts with a brief description on the structural characteristics of WRKY TFs followed by the sections that present recent evidence on their roles in diverse biological processes in plants. We provide a comprehensive overview on regulatory crosstalks involving WRKY TFs during multiple stress responses in plants and future prospects of WRKY TFs as promising molecular diagnostics for enhancing crop improvement.
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Influence of virus-host interactions on plant response to abiotic stress.
Rahman, A, Sinha, KV, Sopory, SK, Sanan-Mishra, N
Plant cell reports. 2021;(11):2225-2245
Abstract
Environmental factors play a significant role in controlling growth, development and defense responses of plants. Changes in the abiotic environment not only significantly alter the physiological and molecular pathways in plants, but also result in attracting the insect pests that carry a payload of viruses. Invasion of plants by viruses triggers the RNA silencing based defense mechanism in plants. In counter defense the viruses have gained the ability to suppress the host RNA silencing activities. A new paradigm has emerged, with the recognition that plant viruses also have the intrinsic capacity to modulate host plant response to environmental cues, in an attempt to favour their own survival. Thus, plant-virus interactions provide an excellent system to understand the signals in crosstalk between biotic (virus) and abiotic stresses. In this review, we have summarized the basal plant defense responses to pathogen invasion while emphasizing on the role of RNA silencing as a front line of defense response to virus infection. The emerging knowledge indicates overlap between RNA silencing with the innate immune responses during antiviral defense. The suppressors of RNA silencing serve as Avr proteins, which can be recognized by the host R proteins. The defense signals also function in concert with the phytohormones to influence plant responses to abiotic stresses. The current evidence on the role of virus induced host tolerance to abiotic stresses is also discussed.
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The alteration of stress-related physiological parameters after probiotics administration in oral surgeons with different degrees of surgical experience.
Pacifici, A, Pacifici, L, Nuzzolese, M, Cascella, G, Ballini, A, Santacroce, L, Dipalma, G, Aiello, E, Amantea, M, Saini, R, et al
La Clinica terapeutica. 2020;(3):e197-e208
Abstract
PURPOSE Stress is a multifactorial and complex pathway, gaining growing attention from the healthcare community. Surgeons are subjected to higher levels of stress, due to surgical procedures that are demanding and repetitive; unfortunately, high-stress levels may also cause side-effects, as surgical mistakes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of specific probiotics strains formula on stress levels in oral and maxillofacial surgeons, to improve their quality of life. METHODS We have investigated the hormonal (salivary Cortisol; sC), immune (salivary Immunoglobulin A; sIgA) and cardiovascular (Heart rate, HR, and systolic blood pressure, SBP) responses induced by stress conditions in 40 oral surgeons, randomly selected and allocated, according to their experience level, in three categories: senior, expert, and junior. RESULTS The results described how the number of heartbeats/ minute and SBP are slightly raised in all surgeons at different timepoints. Such data allow us to assess that work-related stress can induce an increase in cardiovascular parameters, even if they are not significantly modified by the use of probiotics. On the other hand, our data indicate that 10 weeks of probiotic integration may induce the improvement of other stress-related physiological parameters in oral surgeons with different degrees of surgical experience, such as the salivary cortisol levels, even under stress conditions. Moreover, in the test group (probiotics administration), the immunoglobulin levels were higher than the control (placebo administration) group: this happens as a consequence of the regular use of probiotics, which may induce an increased number of IgA producing cells. DISCUSSION Our data indicated that 10 weeks of probiotics-enriched diet modify some stress-related physiological parameters in oral surgeons with different degrees of surgical experience, but it does not impact on the overall cardiovascular risk.
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Chronic Stress Contributes to Osteosarcopenic Adiposity via Inflammation and Immune Modulation: The Case for More Precise Nutritional Investigation.
Ilich, JZ, Gilman, JC, Cvijetic, S, Boschiero, D
Nutrients. 2020;(4)
Abstract
Chronic stress and low-grade chronic inflammation (LGCI) are key underlying factors formany diseases, including bone and body composition impairments. Objectives of this narrativereview were to examine the mechanisms by which chronic stress and LGCI may influenceosteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA) syndrome, originally named as ostoesarcopenic obesity (OSO).We also examined the crucial nutrients presumed to be affected by or cause of stress andinflammation and compared/contrasted them to those of our prehistoric ancestors. The evidenceshows that stress (particularly chronic) and its related inflammatory processes, contribute toosteoporosis, sarcopenia, and adiposity ultimately leading to OSA as a final and most derangedstate of body composition, commencing at the mesenchymal cell lineage disturbance. Thefoods/nutrients consumed by modern humans, as well as their altered lifestyle, also contribute tostress, LGCI and subsequently to OSA. The processes can also go in opposite direction when stressand inflammation impact nutritional status, particularly some micronutrients' levels. Whilenutritional management of body composition and LGCI have been studied, the nutrients (and theirquantities) most affected by stressors and those which may act toward the alleviation of stressfulstate, ultimately leading to better body composition outcomes, need to be elucidated.
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Sex Differences in Physiological Stress Induced by a Long-Lasting Adventure Race: A Prospective Observational Analytical Study.
Silva, RPM, Vilaça, A, Guerra, FD, Mundim, AV, de Agostini, GG, de Abreu, LC, Zhiguo, Z, Sorpreso, IC, Valenti, VE, Penha-Silva, N
Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin. 2020;(2):84-95
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to provide additional information on the behaviour of biochemical parameters related to stress responses to a specific long-term competition, we aimed to compare the stressful effects of a long-lasting competition on physiological variables in men and women. METHODS This is a prospective observational analytical study. Twenty-five professional athletes, 15 men and 10 women, travelled 460 km for 4 days in an international edition of the Ecomotion/Pro AR World. RESULTS After the competition, we detected an increase in α-amylase and cortisol levels and a decrease in salivary immunoglobulin A (lgA) levels. The relative percentage changes in α-amylase, IgA and cortisol levels were significantly higher in women than in men, whereas women had lower relative percentage changes in glucose and lactate levels compared with men. There was a decrease in lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts, with relative percentage decreases in lymphocytes and monocytes being significantly higher in female athletes than in males. There were increases in the serum activities of total creatine kinase (CK), the creatine kinase myocardial isoform (CKMB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at the end of the test, with significantly higher elevations of total CK, CKMB and LDH in men and ALT in women. CONCLUSION Long-lasting competition induced stress, muscle damage, anaemia and changes in the immune system. Women had more intense responses of cortisol and leukocytes.